Alimony for Common Law: Is This Really A Smart Thing?

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A JAB AT ANYONE IN PARTICULAR WHO MAY BE IN THIS SITUATION.

MY ONLY INTENTION IS TO OBJECTIVELY ANALYZE THIS ISSUE.

I read this article on CTV News involving the possible payment of alimony for common law couples in Quebec. I do not agree with the common law practice. I believe that if you meet someone nice who you desire to live with for the rest of your life, you should make a real commitment of it and get married. Common Law to me is like “I like you for now…but I could leave at any moment!” Marriage eliminates that fear altogether. I should mention that this is just my opinion and you are entitled to yours as well.

But I’m getting off topic. Anyway, the article stated that many common law couples were upset because of a certain right that married people have which common law couples do not. When marriages break down and divorce happens (I’m not into divorce either…make the right choice first and then you don’t have to worry about it! Once again this is just my opinion) the richer of the two individuals will often make payments to his less well off former wife. (or vice versa) As it turns out, common law couples in Quebec would like a similar setup. However, if this law passes, I foresee many difficulties ahead.

If alimony were brought into this non serious form of co habitation a person could just find some rich somebody and live with him long enough to be considered common law, only to steal half his stuff and move on to the next guy. Thus the whole “system” has been undermined. The one receiving the payments is fine, but the other may be left with not enough cash to pay monthly bills, causing him more trouble than he may have intended in the first place.

My solution to this problem is simple:
1. Find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and who in turn wants to spend the rest of his or her life with you

2. Figure out whether you really want to commit to said person for the rest of your life.

3. Get married…everyone I’ve talked to who’s married is enjoying it!

4. Don’t even think about divorce! You’ll live a happier more prosperous life together that way!
Do all of this (at least avoid breaking up…) and you should be free of any sort of Alimony charge.